Toasting and similar apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet l C. A. FELTMAN TOASTING AND SIMILAR APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1935 Feb. 25, 1936.

ouooeea one 7 6 one: 4 00000 A 0000000 INVENTOR C/Mez as fl. F54 TAM/v /K m ATTOR EY Feb. 25, 1936. c. A. FELTMAN 2,032,272

TOASTING AND SIMILAR APPARATUS INVENTOR 62/4215; 4 Fa mm ATTozEY '7 Patented Feb. 25, 1936 4 PATENT- OFFICE.

2,032,272. roas'rms AND simmm arraaa'rus Charles A. Feltman, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application January 31, 1935, Serial No. 4,324

' Claims.

This invention relates to a machine or apparatus designed primarily as a toaster which may be used for other purposes and more particularly to toast rolls and similar uneven food products; and the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus involving a casing in which is arranged a grill consisting of a plurality of refractory elements arranged in groups with a separate heating medium cooperating with each group to control and regulate heat radiation therefrom; a further object being to provide two endless conveyors with means for disposing the separate conveyors in close proximity to each other and to maintain the conveyors in substantially parallel relation with respect to each other in the path of movement thereof with respect to the grill. and in close proximity to the grill; a

further object being to provide means-for manwhy actuating one of the conveyors to advance the feeding of the product being, toasted or cooked, independent of the normal drive orfeed of both conveyors; a further object being to provide means involving a variable speed gearing or transmission for operating the conveyors at different speeds; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in an apparatus of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, eflicient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and

in which:'

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through one form of my improved apparatus, the section being substantially on the line l-l of Fig. 2.-

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 substantially on the line 2--2 of said figure.

Fig. 3 is a section onthe line 3-3 of Fig. and showing the gear casing in section with part of the construction broken away.

Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line 44 of Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view of a split roll such as adapted to be toasted in the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown for the purpose .of. illustrating one method of carrying my invention into effect, a machine designed primarily for toasting rolls and similar food products. The machine comprises an ohlong, rectangular casing III which may be constructed in any desired manner and which preferably has a window I I at the front wall thereof to give vision to the products as they pass through the machine. The top of the machine has an elongated admission hopper I! through which rolls or other products may be passed into the machine, and the lower portion of the casing has an outwardly and downwardly curved wall memberor shoot l3 which extends to an opening ll formed in the front of the casing, and whereby the products discharged from the machine shoot I3 may drop into and be collected in an elongated box or receiver I5 supported at the front lower end of the casing.

'The machine may be supported upon a table, part of which is indicated at 16 in Fig. 1 oi. the drawings or may have any other conventional support. Mounted within the casing are two endless conveyors I! and IS, the conveyors being in the form of a pair of chains Ila, l8a, disposed at opposite sides of the machine, the chains being connected at longitudinally spaced intervals by rods 1 lb, I811. The pair of chains ,lla of the conveyor l1 pass over a pair of drive sprockets i9 and over three idler sprockets I 9:; as clearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, whereas the pairof chains l8a pass around a pair of drive sprockets 2B and over idler sprockets 20a, thev latter being arranged at the upper end of the machine. V I

It will be noted upon a consideration of Fig. 1 of the drawings that the adjacent surfaces of the conveyors I1, iii are disposed in close proximity to each other and are held in substantially parallel relation to each other or against separation by pairs of vertically disposed guide strips 2| arranged in alinement with the chains Ila, I 8a, as will also appear from a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing, the latter being supported in connection with upper and lower frame members 22 and 23 or brackets 24 secured thereto. It will thus beseen that the conveyors'will be maintained against separation or spreading one with respect to the other in so far as the chains areconcerned. However, the flexibility of therods I lb and lab employed, which are comparatively light, will permit the body portion of the of slowly moving the same through the machine in the toasting or cooking operation.

Means is provided for driving the conveyors, and in the construction shown, an electric motor is' -mounte-d in the lower end of the casing beneath the bottom wall or shoot I3, and this. motor ac= tuates a drive gear 26 through a suitable gear re= duction mechanism indicated at 21 to operate the drive gear 26 at the proper speed consistent with 26 to drive said shaft 28. Sli-dably mounted on and keyed to the shaft 28 is a gear unit consisting of gears 30, 30a, as weil as an annularly groo ed collar 3| adapted toreceive the forked end'32 of an operating lever 33, which lever is employed to move the gear unit in posi ion to produce the variable speed drives desired.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 34 of thepair .of drive sprockets l9 are gears 35 .and 36 joined by a sleeve 35a. The outer surface of the gear 35 has a clutch sleeve 31 with which a clutch collar 38 is adapted to operate. A gear 39 is secured to the shaft 34 and the collar 38 is keyed to the shaft 34 through a pin and slot construction indicated at 46 in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the-latter permitting movement of the collar 38 toward and from the clutch 31. 'A spring 4| is employed to hold the collar normally in engagement with the clutch 31. The gear 39 is in constant mesh with a gear 42 on the shaft 43 of the drive sprockets 20. The shaft 43 is provided outwardlymf the gear housing 21 with a hand knob or similar member 44, by means of which the shaft 34 and 43 may be rotated to actuate the conveyors I? and I8 independently of the drive mechanism of the ma-' chine, to quickly feed or advance a product through the machine or to relieve any congestion that might accidentallyocciir. The free or independent movement of the conveyors I8 is accomplished by reason of the fact that the clutch sleeve 38 is free to move over the clutch 31 of the. gear 35, notwithstanding thefact that said gear 35 is in rotation through the motor and gearing employed.

In the normal or slow speed drive of the conveyors, the gear 301?. meshes with the gear 35 in whereas in the higher speed drive, the gear 30a is moved out of engagement with the gear 35 and the gear 36 moved into engagement withthe-gear 36 through the action of the clutch operating lever or rod 33. 1

Arranged within the casing on a suitable frame .45 consisting of vertical and horizontal angle iron or etherstrips, is a'suitable heating medium which in theconstruction shown is in the form of two gas burner tubes 46 and 41, above each of which is mounted a series of heat reflecting or radiating members in the. form of slabs, plates or the like 48, three of these plates being disposed in each series. The plates are composed of suitable refractory material, the outer surface ofwhich will have relatively small projecting members 49 which will produce a glow and also intensify and widely distribute the heat radiation over a comparatively large area of the casing adjacent and inwardly pared are placed as above stated and conve the manner seen in Figs. 2 audit of the drawings, y

. ing units -controlled paralielism with the conveyor 16.

The sideedges of theplates 48 are reduced as indicated at 48a, note Fig. 3, to receive strips 50 which loosely supportsaid plates in position within the casing. preferably in an angular position such as that indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings so as to dispose the protrucfing parts 451 above the flame of the burner tubes 46 and 41. At'one side of the casing is a gas supply pipe 5i which is coupled with a suitable source of supply. Valves 52 and 53 are employed in extensions from the pipe 5|; to control and regulate the supply of gas to the burner tubes 46 and 1. with this construction, the flame of each burnertube may be separately regulated. 1

' At this time, it wiil also be apparent that the valves 52 and 53 will be operated consistently with the speeds of drive of the conveyors to produce in both the slow and h gh speed operation thereof, the desired toasting or cooking efiects upon the products fed through the machine by such conveyors.

Adjacent the sprocket I9 is a stripping or ejector plate 54 and a similar plate 55 is disposed adjacent the sprocket 20 so that the discharge of rolls or other products from the conveyors onto the shoot l3 and thus into the receptacle l5 may be insured.

principle of operation of themachine herein illustrated.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings, I-have shown a 'conventionaltype of' roll 56 which has been split or cut centrally and longitudinally to dispose the separate halves 56a and-56h thereof side by side and to arrange the resultant flat cut surface 560 at one side ofthe resulting product and the rounded or irreguiar surface or surfaces 56d at the opposite side thereof. The rolls thus preinto hopper or feed tube l2 with the flat surfaces 56 arranged in the direction of the; conveyor l1 and with the roundedor irregular surfaces 56d disposed in the direction of the conveyor l8.

the machine through the and 41 and the heat radiating surfaces or'areas 8--49 thereof. Both conveyors are driven at the same or substantially the same speedso that there will be no normal relative movement of the conveyors with toasted or cooked. ,As before stated, the conveyors may be driven at one of two speeds through the clutch mechanism employed and still furl1 and I8 my be advanced ther, the conveyors by hand through; the operation of the knob '44 to feed the roll or other product quickly through the machine whenever desired.

By regulation of the hurnersor heat radiatthreugh the valves 52--53, any predetermined or desired comparison of heating may be provided to suit the particular prod not being toasted or cooked. By this I mean that the burner 46 controlled by the valve 52 respect'to the product being.

may be adjusted to a high degree of heat and the burner 41 to a lower degree of heat or vice versa; Suitable means may be provided to insulate the walls of the casing to prevent excessive heat radiation as well as to insulate any other desired parts of the apparatus.

The two conveyors l1 and I8 employed form what may be termed flexible grills presenting relatively wide grillsurfaces transversely of the machine, the said surfaces operating as means for supporting as well as conveying the products through the machine." The conveyors or flexible grills consist flexibly coupled at their ends, preferably by chains, the latter, in the construction shown, serving as the means for driving or operating the conveyors. I

Having fully describedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors in said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent each other, means for maintaining adjacent portions of the separate conveyors in close proximity to each other and in substantially parallel rela-- tion throughout a substantial length of the separate conveyors and to prevent displacement of the conveyors throughout such length,, means for operating the conveyors at substantially the same speed from a common driving source with the adjacent portions same direction, and means disposed adjacent said first named means for radiating heat onto said conveyors.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a casing,'two endless conveyors in said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent each other, means for maintaining adjacent portions of the separate conveyors in close proximity to. each other and in substantially parallel relation throughout a substantial length of the separate conveyors and to prevent displacement of the conveyors throughout such length, means for operating the conveyors atsubstantially the same speed from a common driving source with the adjacent portions thereof travelling in the same direction, means disposed adjacent said first I named means for radiating heat onto said conveyors, and said last named means comprising two heating units disposed inspaced relation longitudinally of the path ofmovement of said conveyors.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors in said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent each other, means for maintaining adjacent partions of the separate conveyors in close-proximity to each other and in substantially parallel relation throughout a substantial length of the separate conveyors and to prevent displacement of the conveyors throughout such length, means for operating the conveyors at substantially the same speed from a common driving source with the adjacent portions thereoftraveliing in the same direction, means disposed adjacent said first named means for radiating heat onto said conveyors, said last named means comprising two heating units disposed in spaced relation longitudinally of the'path of movement of sa? :1 conveyors, and means for independently aojusting said heating'um'ts.

4. A machine. of the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors in said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent primarily of the transverse rods thereof travelling in the area the adjacent portions each other, means for maintaining adjacent portions of the separate conveyors in close proximity to each other and in substantially parallel relation through a substantial length of the separate conveyors and to prevent displacement of the conveyors throughout such'length, means for operating the conveyors at substantially the same speed from a common driving source with the adjacent portions, thereof travelling in the same direction, means disposed adjacent said first -5. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors in said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent each other, means for maintaining adjacent portions of the separate conveyors in close proximity tov each other and in substantially parallel relation through a substantial length of the separate conveyors and to prevent displacement of the conveyors throughout such length, means for operating the conveyors at substantially the same speed from a common driving source with the adjacent portions thereof travelling in the same direction, means, disposed adjacent saidfirst named means for radiating heat onto said conveyors, said last named means comprising two heating units disposed in spaced relation Ion-- gitudinally of the path of movement of said conveyors, means for independently adjusting said heating units, sad conveyor operating means including a manually actuated transmission mechanism for operating the conveyors at different speeds, and said conveyors being driven through a clutch mechanism, and means including said 'clutch mechanism for manually actuating the conveyors independent of said operating means and transmission.

6. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, said casing having portions thereof arranged ad- I jacent each other, each conveyor" consisting of a pair of chains disposed one at each side of the d casing and a plurality of rods coupling the chains of each pair at longitudinally spaced intervals to form of the conveyors between the chains openwork grills extending across the major part of the width of the casing, means for guiding and suppcrtinglthe separate adjacent portions of the conveyors in close proximity to each other throughout the major portion of the length of the casing to'form a relatively long and wide grill of the conveyor being operated in one direction to feed food products therebetween, and means adjacent said grill area for radiating heat in the direction thereof.

7. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors arranged in said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent each other, each conveyor consisting of a ,pair of chains disposedmne at each side of the conveyors in close proximity to each other two' endless conveyors arranged meansfor guiding and supporting the separateadjacent portions of the,

the major portion of the length of area the adjacent portions of the conveyor being operated in one direction to feed food. products therebetween, means adjacent said grill area for radiating heat in the direction thereof, and said last named means including independently regulated heating units.

8. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors arranged in said casing, each conveyor consisting of a pair of chains disposed one at each side of the casing and a plurality of .rods coupling the chains of each pair at longitudinally spaced intervals to form of the conveyors "between the chainsopenwork grills extending across the major part of the width of the casing, means for guiding and supporting the separate conveyors in close proximity to each other throughout the major portion of the'length of the casing to form a relatively long and wide grillarea, means adjacent said grill area for radiating heat in the direction thereof, said last named means including independently regulated heating units, each unit consisting of an elongated burner tube and a plurality of heat reflecting plates disposed above the burner tube in an upwardly inclined plane.

9'. A machinepf the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors arranged-in 'said casing having portionsthereof arranged adjacent each other, each conveyor consisting of a pair of chains disposed one at each side of the casing and a plurality of rods coupling the chains of each'pair at longitudinally spaced intervals to form of the conveyors between the chains openwork grills extending across the major part of the width of the casing, supporting the separate adjacent portions of the conveyors in close. proximity to each other throughout the major portion of the length .of

a the casing to form a relatively long and wide grill area the adjacent portions of the conveyor being operated in one directionto feed food products therebetween, means adjacent said grill area for radiating heat in the direction thereof, said last named means including independently regulated heating units; and means including anelectric motor and a transmission gearing for actuating said conveyors.

10. A machine of the class described compristwo endless. conveyors arranged in ing a casing,

said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent each other, eachronveyor consisting of a pair of chains disposed one at each side of the casing and a plurality of of each pair at longitudinally spaced intervals to form of the conveyors between the chains cpenwork grils extending across the major part of the width of. the casing, means for guiding and supporting the separate adjacent portions of the conveyors in close proximity to each other throughout the major portion of the length of the casing to form a relatively long and wide grill area the adjacent portions of the conveyor being operated in one-direction to feed food products therebetween, means adjacent said grill area for radiating heat in the direction thereof, said last named means including independently regulated heating units, means including an electric motor and a transmission gearing for actuating said conveyors, means at one end of the casing for introducing products between said conveyors, and means at the other end of the casing for discharging the products from the conveyors into a suitable receptacle,

means for guiding and a to move a product disposed between rods coupling the chains -scurce of heat radiation;

11. A machine of the class described comprising a casing, two endless conveyors arranged in said casing having portions thereof arranged adjacent each other, each conveyor consisting of a pair of chains disposed one at each side of the casing and a pzurality of rods coupling the chains of each pair at longitudinally spaced intervals to form of the conveyors between the chains openwork grills extending across the major part of the width of the casing, means for guiding and supporting the separate adjacent portions of the conveyors in close proximity to each other throughout the major portion of the length of the-casing to form a relatively long and wide grill area the adjacent portions of the conveyor being operated in one direction to feed food products therebetween, means adjacent said grill area for radiating heat in the direction thereof, said last named means including independently regulating heating units, mean'sincluding an electric motor and a transmission gearing for actuating said conveyors, means at one end of the casing for introducing products between said conveyors, means at the other end of the casing for discharging the products from the conveyors into a suitable receptacle, and .means including a clutch mechanism for manually operating said conveyors independent of the motor operation thereof.

12-. In a machine of the class described. a source of heat radiation, two flexible grills in the form of endless conveyors, means for supporting port'ons of said grills in close proximity and parallel rclation to each other throughout a predetermined length thereof and adjacent said source cf heat radiation, and means for operating the paralel portions of said conveyor grills in one direction to move a product disposed between the parallel portions thereof for exposure-to said source of heat radiation.

13. In a machine of the class described, a source of heat radiation, two flexible grills in the form of endless conveyors, means for supporting portions of said grills in close proximity and parallel relation to each other throughout a predetermined length thereof and adjacent said source of heat radiation, means for operating the parallel portions of said conveyor grills in one direction the parallel portions thereof for exposure to said source-of heat radiation, and manually controlled means for varying the speed of operation of said conveyors.

14. In a machine of the class described, a source of heat radiation, two flexible grills in the form of endless conveyors, means for supporting portions of said grills in close proximity and parallelrelation to each other throughout a predetermined length thereof and adjacent said source ofheat radiation, means for operating the parallel portions of said conveyor grills in one direction to move a product disposed between the parallel portions thereof for exposure to said source of heat radiation, manually controlled means for varying the speed of operation of said conveyors, and means for regulating the temperature of said 15; In a machine of source of heat radiation; two flexible grills in the form of endless conveyors, means tor supporting portions of said grills in close proximity and par allel relation to-each other throughout a termined length thereof and adjacent said source the class described, .a

prede: a

of hat radiation, means for operatingthe parallel portions of said conveyor grills'in one direction to move a product disposed between the parallel portions, thereof for exposure to said source of heat radiation, manually controlled means for varying thespeed of operation of said conveyors, means for regulating the temperature of said source of heat radiation, and means including a clutch for manually operating said conveyors independent of the normal operation thereof.

16. In a toasting machine, a casing, means at one end of the casing for admitting the products to be toasted thereinto, means at the other end A portion of the casing for discharging the toasted products therefrom, two endless conveyor grills movably mounted in the casing, means for guiding sections of said grills through a substantially parallel path between the product admission means at one end of the casing and the discharge means at the other end thereof, said conveyor grills comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced rods flexibly connected at the end portions thereof, means for operating the parallel sections of said conveyors in one direction and in synchronlsm, and heat radiating means in the casing adjacent the parallel sections of the conveyors.

17., Ina toasting machine, a casing, means at one end of the casing for admitting the products tobe toasted thereinto, means at the other end portion of the casing for discharging the toasted products'therefrom, two endless conveyor grills movably mounted in the casing, means for guiding sections of said grills through a substantially parallel path between the product admission means at one end of the casing and the discharge means at. .the other other end thereof, said conveyor grills comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced rods flexibly connected at the end portions thereof, means for operating the parallel sections of said conveyors in one direction and in synchronism, heat radiating means in the casing adjacent the parallel sections of the conveyors, and means including a variable speed transmision for operating said conveyors at different speeds.

18. The combination with two heat radiating units having independent regulating means, of two conveyor grills having adjacent sections movable in one direction across the heat radiating units iniparallel relation one with respect to the other, and means for operating said conveyor grills in synchronism.

19. The combination with two heat radiating units having independent regulating means, of two conveyor grills having adjacent sections movable in one direction across the heat radiating units in parallel relation one with respect to the other, means for operating said conveyor grills in synchronism, and said last named means including means for operating the conveyor grills at different speeds.

20. The combination with two heat radiating units having independent regulating means, of two conveyor grills having adjacent sections movable in one direction across the heat radiating units in parallel relation one with respect to the other, means for operating said conveyor grills in synchronism, said last named means including means for operating the conveyor grills at difierent speeds, and means involving a clutch for manually actuating said conveyor grills independent of the mechanical operation thereof.

CHARLES A. FELTMAN. 

